Exchange with Tali Horwitz about Serving on Advisory Committee for Ptil Tekhelet (1999)
Dear Rabbi Lamm, It has been many years since we have had contact. You may recall me best as a 12 year old when we shared the same podium at my Bat-Mitzvah in Silver Spring, Maryland. My father, Willy Frank z”l and mother Ruth, arranged for you to be the guest speaker while I was the “main” speaker that year. That was 24 years ago and I still giggle that I was the “main” speaker with you present. Today I am living in Maale Adumim, mother of 4, married to a wonderful man Tony Horwitz. I recently began to work with Ptil Tekhelet as Director of PR which includes grant writing and assisting organizationally. Through my work I am reminded of your support for Tekhelet. Ptil Tekhelet has benefited tremendously from your contributions. Today we proudly display the video, which you supported, in our educational/recreational programs. Recently we developed a Hebrew version of the video and are putting the finishing touches on a third video which demonstrates the technique of tying Tzitzit. Your initial contribution set us in motion for which we remain grateful. Presently, Ptil Tekhelet is establishing an Advisory Committee comprised of distinguished scholars and supporters of our work. We are inviting you to join our Advisory Committee. Your involvement would lend credibility and stature to our organization. We are interested in sharing the names of our Advisory Committee with foundations and selected individuals. We would be honored to add your name, with your permission. The following individuals have joined this committee to date: Prof. Roald Hoffman (Nobel Laureate, chemistry), Rabbi Shlomo Riskin, Dr. Roy Stern, and Mr. Shlomo Ben Zvi. This is a lay position, that carries no legal or financial responsibilities and involves no meetings. As you know, the work of Ptil Tekhelet is an example of Torah U’mada. We are dedicated to highlighting this beautiful relationship. To explain the multi-disciplined nature of this mitzvah and discuss its implications, we would like to sug…